Time for a Charismatic Reformation

October 31 is not only Halloween, but also Reformation Day, the anniversary of the day when Martin Luther nailed his "95 thesis" on the Wittenberg Church door, starting the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century.

J. Lee Grady at Charisma Magazine says the Charismatic movement needs its own "Reformation" - It’s (Past) Time for a Charismatic Reformation:

I am no Luther, but I’ve grown increasingly aware that the so-called “Spirit-filled” church of today struggles with many of the same things the Catholic church faced in the 1500s. We don’t have “indulgences”—we have telethons. We don’t have popes—we have super-apostles. We don’t support an untouchable priesthood—we throw our money at celebrity evangelists who own fleets of private jets.

In honor of Reformation Day, I’m offering my own list of needed reforms in our movement. And since I can’t hammer these on the Wittenberg door, I’ll post them online. Feel free to nail them everywhere

Luther had 96; Grady has only 15. I agree with all of them, and especially the last one.

15. Let’s make the main thing the main thing. The purpose of the Holy Spirit’s anointing is to empower us to reach others. We are at a crossroads today: Either we continue off-course, entertained by our charismatic sideshows, or we throw ourselves into evangelism, church planting, missions, discipleship, and compassionate ministry that helps the poor and fights injustice. Churches that embrace this New Reformation will focus on God’s priorities.